India hails Obama’s ‘historic’ win, hopes for stronger ties (Lead)

New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) Lauding Barack Obama’s “extraordinary journey” to the White House, India Wednesday said it looked forward to strengthening its partnership with the US under the new president-elect as it invited him to visit New Delhi soon. In her congratulatory message, President Pratibha Patil hailed Obama’s historic election and underlined the strong partnership between the two countries in facing common global challenges like climate change, terrorism, and energy, health and food security.

“The people of India, who have closely followed the US election process with unprecedented interest, see your election as a historic mandate of the people of the United States of America,” Patil said.

Obama, the 47-year-old Democrat, made history by winning Tuesday’s presidential elections and becoming the first African-American to become the US president.

Conveying his “heartiest congratulations” to Obama, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: “Your extraordinary journey to the White House will inspire people not only in your country but also around the world.

“I hope you will find an opportunity to visit India soon. A warm welcome awaits you,” he said.

Alluding to “shared commitment to freedom, justice, pluralism, individual rights and democracy,” Manmohan Singh said these ideals “provide a solid bedrock for friendship and strategic partnership between our two nations”.

“We have strong ties between our peoples and I look forward to working with you to realize the enormous potential for cooperation that exists between India and the United States,” the prime minister said.

Placing India-US ties in a global perspective, the prime minister said: “Our two countries working together to address global issues and challenges will be an important factor for world peace, stability and progress.”

India sealed a landmark nuclear deal with the US last month that revolutionized ties between the world’s largest democracies.

India is hopeful that its multi-faceted ties with the US that is underpinned by strong bipartisan consensus in that country will be strengthened under the Obama presidency, official sources said.

The external affairs ministry said in a statement: “We look forward to strengthening the partnership between India and the USA and continuing the close engagement that we have developed in recent years both in bilateral cooperation and in addressing global issues of common concern.

“The world’s oldest democracy has completed its traditional process of choosing its new president. The government and the people of India congratulate Senator Barack Obama who has won the mandate of the American people,” it said.